The above video clip is taken from the Chosen series. I have
taken it from ‘Le Vab: The Chosen best scenes part 1’[1], perhaps an edited video
for purpose of highlighting certain significant clips from a whole video. I
happened to watch it while I was surfing through the Chosen series.
The event in the video consisted of stories of Jesus’
conversation with Samaritan lady (John 4) and with Nicodemus (John 3). The
conversation was however extended and made dramatic for film making purpose.
Meanwhile, the conversation with Nicodemus touched me deeper.
I am out of the circle regarding the ongoing controversy of
the Chosen series. As it is a film, there is obvious addition of backstories
and extended narratives. There might be certain unbiblical stuffs either. This
case to be examined is up to responsible theologians and apologists who are
working in the team of the series.
I trimmed a particular portion of the video that really
pinched me hard. When Jesus asks Nicodemus to follow him, he immediately
hesitates and Jesus knew why. Nicodemus knew that the moment when he decides to
follow Jesus, he must give up his status, his possession, his fame, his power,
his authority, his self-identity as a whole. However, Jesus understands that
pain, that concern, that dilemma, that tragic situation and yet he still offers
him an open invitation despite knowing Nicodemus would be losing so much.
Meanwhile, Jesus also promises that he would rather gain something of more
value and worth. (Perhaps, Matt. 19:29)
However, it isn’t the first time. This same pain and concern
happened to Rabi Maharaj, the author of ‘Death of a Guru’.[2] He knew his dark phase, he
knew his personal problems, he knew his dissatisfaction in his own religion and
yet he feared losing his status, his glorious identification in his society, his
glorious caste and his ego. He understood that the very moment he receives Christ
in his life, he will be reduced to nothing. He had to deny himself and give up
everything and follow Christ. That was painful moment, a dilemmatic decision, a
tragedy. Yet, Christ offers us the only choice that is to follow him.
This would hit us hard too. Giving up our possession,
identity, fame and status is not an easy task. However, the mission of the Lord
is to give us a new identity, new status, and new possession. The mission Jesus
came up here on the earth was indeed renewal of humanity. We are to give up
what we are and then receive the new identity in Christ. It is something of
more value even Rabi Maharaj understood in contrast to Reincarnation concept.[3] (I would encourage readers
to read his book, it is available in pdf)
Matthew 16:24-25 highlights Self-Denial concept: Denying
yourself is an essential part of the Christian life. Jesus called upon those
who wish to be His followers to reject the natural human inclination toward
selfishness. The Lord Himself exemplified self-denial (John 13:1–17).[4] The Dictionary of Bible
Themes defines self-denial as “the willingness to deny oneself possessions or
status, in order to grow in holiness and commitment to God.” Self-denial for
the Christian means renouncing oneself as the center of existence (which goes
against the natural inclination of the human will) and recognizing Jesus Christ
as one’s new and true center. It means acknowledging that the old self is dead
and the new life is now hidden with Christ in God (Colossians 3:3–5).
Sadly, many people (perhaps in their innocence and
ignorance) are following after provisions of God rather than Christ. A south
Indian Bible teacher PA Thomas, currently serving in Nepal since more than five
decades, has concluded that people in past had such ‘Giving up’ mind-set after
receiving Christ in life in comparison to present generation.[5] Hence, there was an
absolute transformation. God is indeed seeking that transformation in us.
Meanwhile, people today do not want ‘Giving up’, rather they are seeking gains
from the Lord such as healing, prosperity, hedonist lifestyle and so on. This
gain is self-centered. This is our problem today. We fear losing everything and
try to adjust everything misusing, extrapolating, twisting, extending or
corrupting theological areas.
To give up who we are is rather a Biblical challenge to
humanity. We are called to put on new clothes (Gal. 3:26-27) rather than to
compromise. We are new creation in Christ (2 Cor. 5:17). If Jesus could give up
his glory for our sake (Phil. 2:6-8), should we not think today that we should
give up our identity to live for him? (2 Cor. 5:15)
Book review of 'Death of a Guru': Click here!
[1] Le
Vab: The Chosen Best Scenes Part 1, 2020,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=efhmJdw6baI.
[2] “Death
of a Guru: A Remarkable True Story of One Man’s Search for Truth by Rabbi R.
Maharaj - PDF Drive,” 121, accessed April 24, 2024,
http://www.pdfdrive.com/death-of-a-guru-a-remarkable-true-story-of-one-mans-search-for-truth-e189945442.html.
[3] “Death
of a Guru,” 134.
[4] “What
Does It Mean to Deny Yourself? What Is Self-Denial?,” GotQuestions.org,
accessed April 24, 2024, https://www.gotquestions.org/deny-yourself.html.
[5] के दशांश नदिनु भनेको त परमेश्वरलाई लुट्नु हो ? पाप गर्नु हो ? Face_up Simiyon with PA Thomas, 2022,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dYFRZQQuyvI.
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